Although turkey is now the favoured bird to have for Christmas lunch here in England, it never used to be so. When I was much younger, the traditional choice for Christmas lunch would have been the goose. It was only in the 70's and 80's that people turned to turkey, because they had become so cheap.
I have very happy memories of going to the local market with my dad on Christmas Eve and picking out the bird for our Christmas lunch. I suppose here that I should apologize to all my vegetarian followers!
Many geese are still sold at Michaelmas, the 29th September. Traditionally, this holy day, coinciding with the end of harvest and the autumn equinox, was celebrated with the eating of a goose.
There has been a real resurgence of interest in the Michaelmas goose, but even more marked is the rise in enthusiasm for having goose as a Christmas bird, rather than turkey.
Roast potates cooked in goose fat are absolutely scrumptious and, because geese have more fat than a turkey, they are self-basting.
I was wondering about my American blogging friends - as you have had the turkey for Thanksgiving, do you also have it again at Christmas?
28 comments:
We have a hot turkey meal for Thanksgiving [with all the trimmings - traditional fair] but for Christmas we roast a turkey, cook a ham and have cold sides - salads, veggies, rolls, sweets - and serve the meats sliced and everyone can make their own sandwiches and such throughout the day. We do it buffet style because I never quite know when friends and family will be showing up so it is out all day for whomever decides to drop by. We have done this for years because it was too much of a hassle to travel with so many small children.
I would love a goose tho'. We see a lot of duck in these parts - I love duck too, as it is fatty like the goose is - but I have yet to see a goose. Sounds delicious.
What will you be having for Christmas. Oh, and what is your favorite Christmas sweet.
Can't wait for my Christmas lunch this year - will be tucking in to a nice, juicy turkey (hopefully!), followed by traditional Christmas Pud with clotted cream - yum!
Here in North Carolina the big meal is of course Thanksgiving. When Christmas rolls around it is more finger foods at office and family gatherings with favorites like sausage balls, sweet potato pie, peanut butter balls, bacon roll ups, chips & dips. Usually there is also a spiral sliced Honey Baked Ham. Some folks may go all out & have another turkey but we choose not to. At Christmas we are concentrating on the next important meal for new years that must include black eyed peas as a tradition.
SkippyMom - your Christmas sounds as if it going to be great! That is such a good idea to do it buffet style - much less stressful for all concerned! I so agree with you about the hassle of travelling with small children. We are having turkey this year, and we always have the traditional Christmas pudding for dessert. It's not my favourite but with Devonshire clotted cream (which is very famous here!) I can cope with it!
Odie, the sweet potato pie sounds very tasty, as well as the Honey Baked Ham. That's interesting about the black eyed peas being traditional for the New Year meal. I shall be able to imagine you all now, tucking into your Christmas fayre! Hope your week is going well.
Gawgus things - Do hope your turkey arrives safely and doesn't get stuck in the snow!
My wife will be cooking Christmas dinner for her daughter + boyfriend, our grandchildren and me. My wife is out of town for a few days and has asked me to go to market and bring back the main course, a standing rib roast to feed 6. As a vegetarian with limited experience with meats this shopping assignment is uncharted territory. If I come back with the wrong thing my goose is cooked!
Shady, your goose will indeed be cooked!! LOL! Hope you manage to get it right!
I always have ham on Christmas. All the sides are normally the same. Yams, mashed potatoes, rolls, etc, but the mail course is ham.
Traditions in my family have been Ham for Easter, Turkey for Thanksgiving, Roast Beef for Christmas and Pork for New Years. Supposed to be good luck according to my Grandma. Well this past year hasn't been so great other than blogging so I'm breaking tradition and making a spiral honey baked ham for the two of us. It's no fun cooking for only 2 on a holiday. But we will enjoy a nice dinner nonetheless.
Bouncin'Barb - it's funny how traditions vary with different families and countries, isn't it? I'm sure the ham will be delicious. I know what you mean though, about just cooking for the two of you for the holiday. I hope you have a relaxing day and manage to speak to your two lovely girls!
Thanks Jumble! It seems that ham is winning the day over there!
Ham for us. I tire of turkey fast but Joe would gladly have it again. If we had a crowd we would prepare both. There will three of us on Saturday so not much to prepare. I will make a special Christmas breakfast casserole that is my tradition. Happy Christmas Tim!
Hi Olive. My, there's going to be a lot of ham around on the 25th! That breakfast casserole sound good! Happy Christmas to you too dear friend.
Thanks so much for commenting on my blog. How great that you live near your grandchildren! How great that you HAVE grandchildren!!! :) Merry Christmas!!!!
Let'sMakeADifference - yes, it is wonderful that I have grandchildren. It means that I can act silly again and see things through young eyes. Merry Christmas to you and all your family!
We don't celebrate Thanksgiving...and so no turkey and no goose...what about you this time?
Since no one in my family cares to eat turkey or goose except at thanksgiving we are primary ham eaters on Christmas
You are right about the bird becoming so cheaply. Over here, they put them on sale right after Thanksgiving. At least one or two will bring a roast turkey to the family Christmas party. Goose is rarely ever served at Christmas time here. Although I would like to have it for a change. It's really more delicious I must say.
Happy Christmas to you!!!
We have turkey or ham on (American) Thanksgiving and Christmas. It usually depends on how many adults will be at dinner. If it's just four of us, we have ham. If there will be more people, we have turkey.
Happy holidays to everyone around the world!
Turkey (and ham/lamb) are traditional here in NZ. I don't think I've ever eaten goose! I don't even know if you can buy it over here! :O
We basically have our Thanksgiving meal all over again!! Hahaa!! We have turkey and ALL the yummy side dishes to go with it! The only difference is that I make more desserts, like cookies and such. I guess that's ok since we only do this twice a year! For Easter... we usually have a ham and some other yummy foods, but not as much as Thanksgiving and Christmas. ~ I've never had "goose".
Cat - we're having turkey on Christmas Day this year. Happy Christmas!
Becca - enjoy your Ham and have a lovely Christmas!
michelangelointhekitchen - Hallo! Thank you for stopping by my Blog! You're right, goose is tastier! A Very Happy Christmas to you too!
DW - hi there! Thank you so much for popping by. Hope you have a special day whatever you're having this year! Happy Christmas.
Hi Holly. Nice to hear from you. New Zealand lamb - mmmm! We usually have that at Easter over here. Enjoy the sunshine over there and Happy Christmas!
Becky - you sound like my kind of girl!!! Eating it all over again at Christmas - LOL! And why not, as you say, it's only twice a year! Blessings to you and all your family and have a wonderful Christmas.
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